That shiner you got from an ill-advised bar fight? Just be thankful it's not a lot worse.
According to a new study from the University of Utah, the human face has evolved to be able to take a good punch. Researchers David R. Carrier and Michael H. Morgan examined the skulls of australopiths, apelike ancestors of humans that went extinct 2 million years ago, and found that their jaws, cheeks, eyes, and noses — areas most likely to get hit during a fight — were the strongest.
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All that evolution, though, is gradually reversing: Since we no longer rely on fist fights to settle all disputes, human faces are gradually losing that evolutionary protection. So next time you're in a sticky situation, it's probably best to use your words, not your fists.
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